March 10, 2006
Box Score
Pocatello, ID -- Center Alyssa Wahl and forward Nicky Eason combined for 40 points to lead third-seeded Northern Arizona past number-two seed Montana 73-66 in the semi-finals of the Big Sky Conference Women's Postseason Basketball Tournament.
But it was a pair of three-point baskets in a 36-second span by guard Kim Winkfield, the second with 3:14 left, that picked up the Lumberjacks after Montana had cut what was once a 16-point lead to four, 61-57, at the 4:10 mark.
NAU jumped to a 13-point lead, 31-18, in the first half and Katie Edwards' three-point shooting was all that kept the Grizzlies in the game. She scored Montana's first nine point, all on treys. Her second trey was the 234th of her career, a Big Sky Conference record.
Wahl scored 18 and Eason 11 in the first half as NAU led 39-28 at the intermission. The Lumberjack defense held Montana to just eight first-half baskets. After NAU extended its lead to 51-35 with 13:08 left, Montana went on a 22-10 burst to cut the lead four and set up Winkfield's late heroics, which also included two blocked shots in the final two minutes.
Wahl had a game-high 22 points, Eason18, and Winkfield and guard Sade Cunningham nine each for the Lumberbacks.
Edwards with 21 points, Mandi Morales with 13 and Johanna Closson with 12 led the Grizzlies.
NAU dominated the boards 40-29 with Eason and Megan Porter each collecting seven and Wahl six.
Montana's appearance in the Big Sky Tournament was its 24th consecutive postseason appearance, the last 18 of which have come in the Big Sky Conference. The first six were in the Mountain West Conference, the Big Sky's predecessor.
Northern Arizona will meet the winner of the second semi-final, Idaho State-Weber State, in the championship game.
